NWSA reports decline in container volumes
The Northwest Seaport Alliance (NWSA) reported a decline in container throughput during August 2026, although its loaded exports remained above the five-year average for the first eight months of the year.
Total container volumes across the Seattle and Tacoma gateway reached 1.91 million TEUs between January and August, representing a 10.9% decrease compared with the same period in 2025.
Despite the overall decline, year-to-date loaded exports stood 2.1% above their five-year average. However, export volumes remained below last year’s levels, when cargo movements were influenced by shipments brought forward ahead of anticipated tariffs.
The latest NWSA container volumes also reflected weaker import activity, alongside mixed performance across domestic cargo, breakbulk shipments and vehicle handling.
NWSA container volumes decline in August
During August 2026, the Northwest Seaport Alliance handled 235,795 TEUs, down 8.2% compared with August 2025.
Loaded imports declined by 10.3% during the month, while loaded exports decreased by 2.1%.
The figures indicate that both inbound and outbound container movements contributed to the year-on-year decline, with imports recording the larger percentage reduction.
For the January–August period, total international and domestic container throughput reached 1,908,539 TEUs, a decrease of 10.9% from the corresponding period of 2025.
Loaded imports fell by 13.2% during the first eight months, while loaded exports declined by 1.2%.
Nevertheless, the NWSA reported that loaded exports remained 2.1% above their five-year average, despite falling short of the unusually high volumes recorded in 2025.
The port alliance linked the comparison with last year to cargo shipments brought forward ahead of anticipated tariffs.
This distinction is important when assessing the latest results. Although loaded exports declined year on year, their performance remained above the longer-term historical benchmark cited by the NWSA.
Domestic cargo and breakbulk performance
Domestic container traffic recorded a smaller decline than international container movements during the first eight months of 2026.
Overall domestic volumes decreased by 0.6% compared with the same period in 2025.
Within this segment, Alaska container volumes increased marginally by 0.1%, while Hawaii traffic fell by 4.1%.
Performance was stronger in the breakbulk segment.
The NWSA handled 284,696 metric tons of breakbulk cargo between January and August, an increase of 10.7% year on year.
According to the port alliance, continued industrial demand supported the growth in breakbulk shipments.
Vehicle handling, however, remained under pressure.
Automobile volumes reached 183,968 units during the eight-month period, representing a 3.6% decrease compared with 2025.
The NWSA attributed the weaker automotive performance to the continuing impact of tariffs on the industry.
The figures highlight differing trends across the gateway’s cargo segments, with breakbulk growth contrasting with declines in container and vehicle volumes.
Terminal 5 expands refrigerated cargo capacity
Alongside the August cargo results, the Northwest Seaport Alliance reported the completion of a refrigerated cargo infrastructure project at Terminal 5.
The expansion increased the terminal’s capacity to more than 1,500 refrigerated container connections, commonly known as reefer plugs.
The additional infrastructure supports temperature-controlled cargo movements, particularly agricultural and seafood exports from the Pacific Northwest.
Washington exporters transport products including apples, cherries, potatoes and seafood to international markets, making refrigerated container capacity an important component of the region’s export operations.
The NWSA said the expansion would provide greater operational flexibility during peak agricultural shipping periods.
The additional reefer connections are also intended to support cold-chain requirements for temperature-sensitive products.
The project represents an infrastructure development at the gateway during a period of declining overall container throughput.
Export performance remains above historical average
The latest NWSA container volumes present a mixed picture for the first eight months of 2026.
While total throughput and loaded imports remained below 2025 levels, loaded exports continued to exceed their five-year average.
Breakbulk cargo also recorded growth, supported by industrial demand, while domestic container traffic experienced a comparatively modest decline.
Meanwhile, the completed Terminal 5 refrigerated capacity expansion adds infrastructure for agricultural and seafood exports.
The August figures therefore show different developments across the gateway’s cargo categories, with the overall container decline occurring alongside stronger breakbulk activity and above-average loaded export performance.
